Smoke leaking out the side

Jcl5150

The gaskets that came with my XL came off earlier this spring so I replaced them a few weeks ago with a Rutland.  I did a burn this morning as recommended after replacing and noticed smoke leaking out of the side.  It seems as though my dome is off-center to the right as you’re facing it (the first picture is the side that’s leaking, the second picture is the other side that doesn’t show any gasket).  Is there an adjustment that I could make to correct this?  

Battleborn

Loosen the top bands, put some weight on top of the dome to make sure the dome is seated down all the way and then retighten the bands. Any time I have had an issue that has worked for me. 

Jcl5150

Battleborn said:

Loosen the top bands, put some weight on top of the dome to make sure the dome is seated down all the way and then retighten the bands. Any time I have had an issue that has worked for me. 

Thanks for the tip!  Here comes an embarrassing question, though.  I’ve never had to adjust, so to loosen the top band, do you loosen each bolt in the top band, or are there certain ones to loosen before adjusting the dome?  TIA!

Jstroke

The band meets at the back near the hinge and has two “tabs”. The carriage bolt goes through those two tabs and essentially squeezes the band. With the lid closed loosen that bolt. Adjust as necessary. Snug bolt. Recheck fit. Then tighten bolt fully and recheck.

Battleborn

As Jstroke said. I used to have to research and adjust mine all the time with the old style bands. Haven’t had to do it since I put the new ones on several years ago. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Jcl5150 said:

Battleborn said:

Loosen the top bands, put some weight on top of the dome to make sure the dome is seated down all the way and then retighten the bands. Any time I have had an issue that has worked for me. 

Thanks for the tip!  Here comes an embarrassing question, though.  I’ve never had to adjust, so to loosen the top band, do you loosen each bolt in the top band, or are there certain ones to loosen before adjusting the dome?  TIA!

 It embarrassing at all. If you have never needed to do it, you wouldn’t have a reason to know how. 

Loosen the bent bolt on the top hand only. Reseat the dome so it sits centered on the gasket. Have someone else apply some weight/pressure to the dome once seated properly and tighten the bolt. You can do this with just yourself (I always do) but it is easier if you have someone else to hold the dome in place while you tighten. 

RRP

And if that adjustment doesn't fix it then there is a chance that  you did not apply the same amount of Permatex at the area of the leakage. That can be fixed by taking a sharp thin blade putty knife and CAREFULLY work it under the Rutland and lift it up. Just squirt some more new Permatex on to the base, smear it around and seat the gasket back down. Then close the dome and let it cure for 24 hours.

OTOH how much smoke leakage is there? If merely wisps then initially the Rutland MAY leak slightly, but after a few cooks then the escaping creosote closes the leaks.

Jcl5150

RRP said:

And if that adjustment doesn't fix it then there is a chance that  you did not apply the same amount of Permatex at the area of the leakage. That can be fixed by taking a sharp thin blade putty knife and CAREFULLY work it under the Rutland and lift it up. Just squirt some more new Permatex on to the base, smear it around and seat the gasket back down. Then close the dome and let it cure for 24 hours.

OTOH how much smoke leakage is there? If merely wisps then initially the Rutland MAY leak slightly, but after a few cooks then the escaping creosote closes the leaks.

The smoke is just wisps.  I will adjust the dome and hopefully that fixes it.  Thanks for all the advice, everyone.  That’s why I love Egghead Forum!

ksmyrl

This forum is awesome. Been some time since I've been around. But..both my eggs leak smoke from the sides. I just make another drink and let er ride. I don't think it affects performance too much. But the adjustments mentioned earlier are the way to go if one so desires.